Garbage disposer with tableware recovery device



GARBAGE DISPOSER WITH TABLEWARE RECOVERY DEVICE Filed March 29, 1952 AC. DRAPER July 10, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l A. C. DRAPER July 10, 1956GARBAGE DISPOSER WITH TABLEWARE RECOVERY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledMarch 29, 1952 United States Patent GARBAGE DISPOSER WITH TABLEWARERECOVERY DEVICE Alfonso Charles Draper, Los Angelcs, Calif, assignor, bymesne assignments, to Given Manufacturing Co., Los Angeles, Calif, acorporation of California Application March 29, 1952, Serial No. 279,427

15 Claims. (4-187) This invention relates in general to the disposal ofgarbage and other waste materials and, more particularly, to a garbagedisposal apparatus having means for recovering any tableware, i. e.,knives, forks, spoons and the like, which may be mixed with the garbage,a primary object of the invention being to provide such a garbagedisposal apparatus.

More particularly, an object of the invention is to provide a generallyconical basin or sink which is adapted to be mounted beneath and incommunication with a dishtable, drainboard, or other work surface, andwhich communicates at its lower and smaller end with a garbage disposerhaving means for comminuting garbage dumped therein and for deliveringthe comminuted garbage to a sewer line.

Another object is to provide such a sink having interconnected lateraland tangential inlet port means respectively facing laterally andtangentially of the sink to direct water laterally and tangentiallythere-of, the area of the tangential inlet port means being large ascompared to that of the lateral inlet port means so that the waternormally discharges into the sink through the tangential inlet portmeans. Such tangential discharge of water into the generally conicalsink results in a swirling action of the water around the sink with theresult that the swirling water washes any garbage adhering to the sidesof the sink downwardly into the comminuting means connected to the lowerend of the sink.

Another object is to provide a cover for the generally conical sinkwhich is provided with an opening through which garbage may be dumpedinto the interior of the sink.

A further object is to provide a tableware trapping basin carried by thecover beneath the opening therethrough for trapping any silverware whichmay accidentally be dropped through the opening in the cover, thetableware basin being disposed in the line of the water discharge fromthe lateral discharge port means when the cover is in place so that thelateral discharge of water flushes garbage from the tableware basin intothe generally conical sink. The tableware, being heavier than thegarbage, remains in the tableware basin and thus is prevented from beingdelivered to the comminuting means.

Still another object is to provide on the cover a closure which isadapted to seat against and close the tangential inlet port means whenthe cover is in place so that all of the water delivered to the two portmeans is discharged laterally through the lateral inlet port means,thereby producing a jetting or spraying action which flushes garbage outof the tableware basin.

Another object is to provide an installation which includes a spray headpositionable above the conical sink and its cover assembly for rinsinggarbage oif dishes and into the sink, either directly, or by way of theopening through the cover and the tableware trapping basin.

The foregoing objects and advantages of the present invention, togetherwith various other objects and advantages thereof which will becomeapparent, may be attained 2,753,571 Patented July 10, 1956 with theexemplary embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and described in detail hereinafter. Referring tothe drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a garbage disposal apparatus whichembodies the invention;

Fig. 2. is a fragmentary perspective view showing a tableware trappingbasin of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the arrowed line 3-3of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view taken along the arrowed line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to a portion of Fig. 4 but with acover assembly of the invention removed;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to a portion of Fig. 4, but showinganother embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the arrowed line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the numeral 10designates a conventional dishtable of the type usually found inrestaurants, although it will be understood that the present inventionmay be employed in the home if desired. The bottom of the table 10 isprovided with a hole 11 therein and disposed below and registering withthis hole is a generally conical, or, more particularly, frustoconical,basin or sink 12, the latter having a flange 13 which is seated againstthe under side of the bottom wall of the table 10 and which is suitablysecured thereto in a manner not specifically shown. Secured to the lowerand smaller end of the sink 12 is a comminuting means 17 of any suitableconstruction and driven by a motor 18, the comminuted garbage beingdischarged into a sewer line 19 through a trap 20 as is conventional.

As best shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the sink 12 is providedwith a tangential inlet port means and a lateral inlet port means 26respectively facing tangentially and laterally of the sink to directwater tangentially and laterally thereof, the area of the tangentialinlet port means 25 being large as compared to the lateral inlet portmeans 26 so that the water normally discharges into the sink through thetangential inlet port means with a swirling action around the sink 12.In the particular construction illustrated, a water inlet pipe 27,connected to any suitable source of Water supply, extends into andtangentially of the generally conical sink 12 and terminates adjacentthe point of tangency of the pipe to the sink to provide an open endwhich serves as the tangential inlet port means 25. The lateral inletport means 26 comprises a plurality of laterally directed ports 28having a total area considerably less than the internal cross-sectionalarea of the pipe 27 so that the water normally flows freely from theopen end of the pipe and produces a swirling action around the sink 12.This is shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. However, if the open end of thepipe 27 is closed in a manner to be described hereinafter, the waterthen is discharged laterally through the ports 28, as shown in Fig. 4 ofthe drawings.

Secured to the inner wall of the sink 12 in alignment with the pipe 27,but spaced slightly from the open end thereof, is a stop 31. The purposeof this stop will be discussed hereinafter.

Adapted to seat on the flange 13 of the sink 12 and to fit in the hole11 in the bottom wall of the table 10 is a cover for the sink 12, thiscover sloping downwardly toward an opening 36 therethrough which iscentrally located in the particular construction illustrated and whichis bounded by a depending flange 37. As best shown in Fig. 1 of thedrawings, an overhead spray device 38 controlled by a valve 39 isprovided to furnish a source of water for flushing scraps of garbage offplates and the like. Preferably, the spray device 38 is supported by aflexible conduit 40 so that the spray device may be maneuvered around asdesired in rinsing off dishes and the like and in flushing garbagerinsed from the dishes through the opening 36 in the cover 35. Ashut-off valve 41 is shown as installed in the conduit 40, although itmay be elsewhere in the" system.

Carried by the cover 35 is a tableware trapping basin 46* having a lowerwall 47 and side walls 48 As best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, thelower wall 47 includes an apron 49 which slopes upwardly toward thelateral ports 28' in the pipe 27. The lower wall 47 of the basin 46terminates at its other end in a lip 50 over which water jetted orsprayed into the basin 46 is discharged, as indicated by the arrows inFig. 3. The side walls 48 of the basin 46 are provided with tabs 54which are welded, or otherwise secured, to the flange 37 bounding theopening 36 in the cover 35; thereby securing the tableware basin 46tothe cover 35. One of the side walls 48 of the basin 46 is providedwith a tab 55 which is insertable into the space between the open end ofthe pipe 27- and the stop-31 and which serves as a closure for thetangential inlet port means 25 when it is inserted between the open endof the pipe and the stop so that it is seated on the open end of thepipe. The entire tableware basin 46 is preferably formed of sheet metal,although other materials may be employed.

Considering the operation of the invention, it will be assumed thatdishes and tableware are on the table for removal of scraps prior towashing. The operator uses the spray device 38 to flush table scrapsfrom the dishes into the opening 36 in the cover 35. In doing this, apiece of tableware may occasionally be dropped through the opening 36also. With the cover 35 in place, the closure 55 blocks the end of thepipe 27 so that the water supplied to the comminuting means 17 isdischarged laterally through the lateral ports 28 into the tablewarebasin 46. The lateral ports 28 are relatively small so that the water isdischarged into the tableware basin 46 with a jetting action, asindicated by the arrows inFigs. 3 and 4, which tends to carry tablescraps and other garbage upwardly over the lip 50- of the tablewarebasin and into the sink 12. The pieces of tableware in the basin 46,being heavier, are not affected by the lateral water discharge fromthe-pipe 27 and thus remain in the basin. Whenever the tableware basin46 becomes too full, the tableware may be removed there from by theoperator as desired;

As indicated above, the table scraps and garbage are removed from thetableware basin 46 by the jetting action of the water discharge by thelateral ports 28. In order to prevent pooling of the water in the basin46 from interfering with this jetting action, holes 56- for drainage areprovided in the bottom of the basin 46, although such holes may be inthe side walls 48 if desired.

After all ofthe dishes have been flushed offin the foregoing manner, theoperator removes the cover 35, which disengages the closure 55 from theend of the pipe 27. Consequently, the water delivered to the pipe 27 isdischarged through the open endof the pipe and swirls around the sink 12in the manner suggested in Fig. 5, thereby washing off any pieces ofgarbage which may have adhered to the sides of the sink 12, which is animportant feature of the invention.

In Figs. 6 and 7 is shown an alternative embodiment in which a loop 61replaces the stop 31 and serves the same purpose. The loop 61 provides asomewhat more positive stop arrangement than does the stop 31.

Thus, the present invention provides a garbage disposal apparatus whichincludes comminuting means for comminuting garbage before it isdischarged into a sewer line and which includes means for salvaging anysilverware dropped through the opening 36 so that such ware does notenter the comminuting means. The invention further provides a lateraljetting action for flushing garbage from the salvaged silverware andprovides aswirl- 4 ing, action uponrernoval of the cover assembly forflush.- ing any garbage olf the walls of the sink 12.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosedherein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that variouschanges, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in theembodiment disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention includes:

1. In combination: a sink with two interconnected in.- let port meansfor water, the-area. of one of. said inlet port means being less thanthat of the other so that water normally tends to discharge throughsaid. other inlet port means; and a cover for said sink carrying aclosure for closing said other inlet port. means, whereby the water isdischarged from said one inlet port means.

2. In combination: a generally conical sink with interconnected lateraland tangential inlet port means respectively facing, laterally and.tangentially ofv said sink' to direct water laterally and tangentiallythereof, the area of said tangential: inlet port, means being large ascompared to that of said lateral inlet port means so that the waternormally discharges into said sink through said tangential inlet portmeans; a tableware basin disposed in said sink and positioned oppositesaid lateral inlet port means to receive water therefrom; and aremovable closure in said sink seated against and closing saidtangential inlet port means, whereby water is discharged from saidlateral inlet port means into said basin.

3. In combination: a generally conical sink with interconnected lateraland tangential inlet port means respectively facing laterally andtangentially of said sink to direct water laterally and tangentiallythereof, the area of said tangential inlet port means being large ascompared to that of said lateral inlet. port means so that the waternormally discharges into said sink through said tangential inlet portmeans; a removable cover for said sink, and provided with an openingtherethrough; a tableware trapping basin carried by said cover belowsaid opening, and positioned? opposite said lateral intake port means toreceive Water. therefrom when said cover is seated on, said sink; and aclosure carried by said cover for closing said tangential inlet portmeans when said cover is seated on said sink, whereby water isdischarged from said lateral inlet port means intosaid basin..

4. The combination defined in claim 3' wherein said tangential inletport means is one end of a pipe extending into and tangentially ofsaid'sink, and'wherein said lateral inlet port means includes aplurality of holes in one/side of said pipe adjacent said end thereof.

5. The combination defined in claim 3. wherein said basin is providedwith holes therein for the drainage of water discharged into said basin.

6. In combination: a generally conical sink; a pipe extending into andtangentially of: said: sink. and having an end substantially at thepoint of tangency of said pipe to said sink; a stop carried by said sinkin alignment with said pipe and spaced from said end thereof; aremovable cover for said sink and provided with an opening; a tablewaretrapping basin carried by said cover below and opening and positionedopposite holes in one side of said pipe so as to receive watertherefrom, the total area of said holes being small as compared to thearea of the end of saidpipe. so that water normally discharges into saidsink through said end of said pipe; and a closure carried) by said coverfor closing said end of said pipe, whereby water is discharged from saidholes into said basin.

7. The combination defined in claim 6, wherein said closure comprises asheet metal tab insertable between said end of said pipe and saidstop.

8.'In a cover assembly for a generally conical sink havinginterconnected, lateral and tangential inlet port means respectivelyfacing laterally and tangentially'of the sink to directwaterlaterallyand-tangentially thereof,

the area of the tangential inlet port means being large as compared tothat of the lateral inlet port means so that the water normallydischarges into the sink through the tangential inlet port means, thecombination of: a removable cover for the sink and provided with anopening therethrough; a tableware trapping basin carried by said coverbelow said opening therein and positioned opposite the lateral inletport means to receive water therefrom when said cover is seated on thesink; and a closure carried by said cover for closing the tangentialinlet port means when said cover is seated on the sink, whereby thewater is discharged from said lateral inlet port means into said basin.

9. In a cover assembly for a generally conical sink having extendingthereinto and tangentially thereof a water inlet pipe which is providedwith an open end adjacent the point of tangency of the pipe to the sinkand which is provided with lateral holes therein extending toward thecenter of the sink, there being a stop aligned with said pipe but spacedfrom said end thereof, the combination of: a removable cover for saidsink, and provided with an opening therethrough; a tableware basincarried by said cover below said opening and positioned opposite saidholes in the pipe to receive water therefrom when the cover is seated onthe sink; and an element carried by said cover and insertable betweensaid end of the pipe and said stop when said cover is seated on thesink, said element closing said end of the pipe so that water isdischarged into said basin through the lateral holes in the pipe.

10. In combination: a generally conical sink; a pipe extendingtangentially into said sink and terminating approximately at the pointof tangency of said pipe to said sink to provide an open end; a stopcarried by said sink and forming a continuation of said pipe, said stopbeing aligned with said pipe and being spaced from said open endthereof; a cover for said sink, and provided with an openingtherethrough; a tableware trapping basin carried by said cover belowsaid opening and positioned opposite holes in one side of said pipeadjacent said open end thereof, said holes being small as compared tosaid pipe so that water is normally discharged through said open end ofsaid pipe, said basin including an apron extending upwardly toward saidholes in said pipe; and a closure for said open end of said pipe carriedby said cover and insertable between said open end of said pipe and saidstop to close said open end of said pipe, whereby water is dischargedfrom said holes and onto said basin.

11. In combination: a sink; cover means removably positionable over saidsink and having an opening therethrough providing manual access to saidsink; receptacle means below said cover and aligned with said opening;first inlet means for supplying a liquid to said sink below said coverso as to direct the same into said receptacle; second inlet means forsupplying a liquid to said sink 6 below said cover so as to by-pass saidreceptacle; and means associated with said cover and operative when saidcover is in a predetermined position over said sink to render said firstinlet means operative and said second inlet means inoperative to supplyliquid to said sink.

12. In combination: a sink; cover means removably positionable over saidsink and having an opening therethrough providing manual access to saidsink; receptacle means below said cover and aligned with said opening;inlet means for supplying a liquid to said sink below said cover; andmeans carried by said cover and cooperable with said inlet means foropening or closing said inlet means in response to movement of saidcover.

13. In combination: a sink; cover means removably positionable over saidsink and having an opening therethrough providing manual access to saidsink; receptacle means below said cover and aligned with said opening;inlet means for supplying a liquid to said sink below said cover; andmeans carried by said cover and cooperable with said inlet means foropening or closing said inlet means in response to movement of saidcover to control a flow of said liquid into said receptacle.

14. In combination: a sink; cover means removably positionable over saidsink and having an opening therethrough providing manual access to saidsink; receptacle means below said cover and aligned with said opening;inlet means for supplying a liquid to said sink below said cover; andmeans carried by said cover and cooperable with said inlet means foropening or closing said inlet means in response to movement of saidcover to control a How of said liquid so as to by-pass said receptacle.

15. In combination: a sink; cover means removably positionable over saidsink, having an opening therethrough providing manual access to saidsink; receptacle means in said sink below said cover and aligned withsaid opening; inlet means connected to said sink below said cover andabove said receptacle and adapted to supply a liquid to said sink; andmeans associated with said cover and cooperable with said inlet meanswhen said cover is in a predetermined position over said sink to controlthe flow of liquid from said inlet means into said sink.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS660,172 Tarr Oct. 23, 1900 2,400,879 Hilliker May 28, 1946 2,536,930Hammell Jan. 2, 1951 2,573,965 Guglielmoni Nov. 6, 1951 2,583,997Chester Jan. 29, 1952 2,593,359 Strehlow Apr. 15, 1952 2,604,633McPherson July 29, 1952 2,630,918 Janows Mar. 10, 1953

